Updated October 28th to report removal of all restrictions by the Nelson County Service Authority.
Updated the initial September 3rd report to add “Level 2” water restrictions on October 8th.
Three-plus inches of rain early Sunday morning (October 27th) filling Lake Monocan allowed the Nelson County Service Authority to announce the next day that their voluntary water restrictions on Wintergreen Mountain were lifted.
August’s low rainfall had led to diminished streamflow which led to signs going up on Wintergreen mountain saying “Level 1 water restrictions” on September 3rd.
Then, with no significant rainfall and none forecasted, on October 8th Wintergreen told property owners that the Nelson County Service Authority had “Level 2 water restrictions” in place, banning landscape watering or car washing on the mountain.
While the announcement came from the water and sewer service for the mountain, WPOA’s Executive Director Jay Roberts said, “Whenever we have drought conditions, we encourage all owners to conserve.” Stoney Creek relies on wells, including AQUA customers, and the groundwater is likely at risk during dry conditions.
Much of Virginia was dry. Gov. Ralph Northam announced a drought watch advisory in late October asking localities, citizens and businesses to use less water. Although voluntary, the watch advisory was meant to prepare people in case of "a significant drought event,” which the rains made less likely.
In its October 8th announcement, the Nelson County Service Authority said it was making the repair of all leaks a “top priority” and asked anyone seeing a leak to report it.
After the severe drought in 2002 a thorough review of water supply sources for the Wintergreen community was completed, Roberts noted in September. This multi-year study established benchmarks to provide early warnings.
Above, Lake Monocan on October 5th, 2019 and, below, on July 29th, 2019. The lake provides much of Wintergreen Mountain’s water.
